Abstract
Pharmacy organizations in Canada are attempting to put more pressure on the federal government to curb Canadian drug sales south of the border, now that the Democratic Party—controlled US Congress has tabled legislation that would allow more prescription drug imports from Canada.
Legislation introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives on January 10 would allow pharmacies and wholesalers to import medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, and would allow individuals to buy drugs for their own use from Canadian pharmacies. US legislators estimate the measure could save Americans up to 55% on brand-name medications.
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), the Ontario Pharmacists' Association (OPA), the Canadian Association for Pharmacy Distribution, and the Best Medicines Coalition say the threat to Canada has gone up a level with this move. They have once again written to Health Minister Tony Clement, calling for a ban on both bulk and retail exports of prescription medications to the United States.
“This American legislative proposal poses an imminent and serious threat to the security and integrity of Canada's drug supply, and hence a serious and genuine threat to the health and well-being of Canadians,” the letter says.
The federal health minister has consistently said that the government is monitoring the situation, but does not believe Canada's drug supply is at risk.